Design, additive manufacturing, and characterization of an organ-on-chip microfluidic device for oral mucosa analogue growth.

Introduction: Α customized organ-on-a-chip microfluidic device was developed for dynamic culture of oral mucosa equivalents (Oral_mucosa_chip-OMC).

Materials And Methods: Additive Manufacturing (AM) was performed via stereolithography (SLA) printing. The dimensional accuracy was evaluated via microfocus computed tomography (mCT), the surface characteristics via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the mechanical properties via nanoindentation and compression tests.

Pneumoperitoneum after placement of the temporary pacing wires: transverse colon injury at the base of a diverticulum.

We present the successful management of a patient presenting with pneumo-peritoneum early after surgery due to transvere colon injury after placement of the temporary pacing wires. The patient was asymptomatic, underwent computed tomography, the temporary pacing wires were removed and he was managed conservatively.

Total Artificial Heart Implantation as a Bridge to Transplantation in Slovakia.

Although left ventricular assist device implantation represents the majority of durable mechanical circulatory support implants for patients with advanced heart failure, as many as 20 to 30% will subsequently have right heart failure requiring extended inotropic support or short-term mechanical circulatory support, and the total artificial heart is an established tool in the bridge to transplant armamentarium. The aim of this short report is to present our center's experience with the use of SynCardia total artificial heart. Between November 2017 and April 2021, 10 SynCardia total artificial heart devices were implanted.

Thromboembolic complications following implantation of durable left-ventricular assist devices.

Introduction: As the utilization of left-ventricular assist devices (LVADs) continues to rise and patients experience extended survival duration with these devices, the overall incidence of adverse events and complications has shown a notable increase. Among the major adverse events, thromboembolic complications are particularly significant. The aim of this study is to present our experience and assess the risk of thromboembolic complications after implantation of durable continuous-flow left-ventricular assist devices (CF-LVAD) in patients with end-stage heart failure.

Temporal Analysis in Outcomes of Long-Term Mechanical Circulatory Support: Retrospective Study.

Background:  Mechanical assist device indications have changed in recent years. Reduced incidence of complications, better survival, and the third generation of mechanical support devices contributed to this change. In this single-center study, we focused on two time periods that are characterized by the use of different types of mechanical support devices, different patient characteristics, and change in the indications.

Comparison of PCO2gap, SvO2 and plasmatic lactate in patients on venoarterial extracorporeal circulation support.

Background: Clinical assessment and laboratory markers provide valuable information on tissue perfusion and enhance the optimalisation of management in the treatment of patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The PCO2 gap is a reliable marker of cardiac output (CO) and perfusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the PCO2 gap as a marker of tissue hypoperfusion and to compare it to lactate and SvO2.

The Association Between Ascending Aortic and Left Ventricular Dimensions in Patients After Aortic Valve Replacement.

Introduction: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is often recommended for patients with severe aortic stenosis or chronic aortic regurgitation. These conditions result in remodeling of the left ventricle, including increased interstitial fibrosis that may persist even after AVR. These structural changes impact left ventricular (LV) mechanics, causing compromised LV diameter to occur earlier than reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF).

Multivessel Coronary Disease and Severe Atherosclerotic Aorta: Real-World Experience.

: Surgical revascularisation of patients with atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta remains a challenge. Different surgical strategies have been described in coronary surgical patients to offer alternative revascularisation strategies other than the conventional surgical revascularisation in patients unsuitable for it. The aim of this study is to compare the real-world outcomes between two groups of patients who underwent off-pump surgery (left internal mammary artery graft to the left anterior descending artery) or a hybrid with a percutaneous revascularisation procedure at a later stage.

Surgery for cardiac myxomas: 12-year experience.

Introduction: Cardiac myxoma is a rare benign cardiac tumor observed in approximately 0.5-1 case per 1 million people per year. The aim of this study is to review our 12-year experience in the surgical treatment of cardiac myxoma with an emphasis on the clinical, pathologic, diagnostic, and surgical features.

Successful support of biventricular heart failure in an adult patient by the Berlin Heart EXCOR system as a bridge to transplant: literature review.

Right heart failure is a huge challenge in left ventricular assist device therapy and its occurrence is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Other options include the use od temporary right ventricular assist device, use of two continous flow biventricular assist devices, use of total artificial heart and the use of paracorporeal biventricular assist devices.In this report we described the successful use of the paracorporeal pulsatile Berlin Heart EXCOR system as a bridge to transplant in a 62 years old patient with end-stage biventricular heart failure (Tab.

Transient reduction in ejection fraction following aortic valve replacement for aortic regurgitation.

Background: In patients following aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic regurgitation, a transient reduction in ejection fraction (TREF) sometimes occurs in the postoperative period without a clear remediable cause, which leads to a spontaneous improvement without the need for a specific treatment.

Objective: To study the incidence and risk factors of TREF following AVR for aortic regurgitation.

Methods: We designed a single-centre retrospective observational study.

Indications, Complications, and Outcomes of Cardiac Surgery After Heart Transplantation: Results From the Cash Study.

Background: Allograft pathologies, such as valvular, coronary artery, or aortic disease, may occur early and late after cardiac transplantation. Cardiac surgery after heart transplantation (CASH) may be an option to improve quality of life and allograft function and prolong survival. Experience with CASH, however, has been limited to single-center reports.

The efficiency of the preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the setting of postinfarction ventricular septal defect and how to optimize outcomes: A single center case series.

The mortality rate after the development of postinfarction ventricular septal defect remains high despite progress in pharmacologic therapy, invasive cardiology, and surgical techniques. We present a case series of six patients with preoperative venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to reparative surgical repair. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation allows to hemodynamically stabilize the patient, and safely delay the surgery.

Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in diagnosis of intermediate atrioventricular septal defect in the adult: case report and literature review.

Background: Intermediate type atrioventricular septal defect is less frequent than complete or partial atrioventricular septal defect, and is rarely encountered in the elderly and the utility of three dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis has not been reported to date.

Case Presentation: In this case report, we described a rare case of an intermediate atrioventricular septal defect in an adult patient and we showed the valuable utility of real time 3D transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis and future surgical planning. The patient was referred to a tertiary center for an elective surgical repair.

Valve-related factors and incidence of prosthetic valve endocarditis.

Aim: The aim of the study was to present our experience and evaluate the valve-related factors and the incidence of prosthetic valve endocarditis.

Material And Methods: This is a retrospective study. Between 2010 and 2018, 36 patients were re-operated on due to prosthetic valve endocarditis The valve-related factors (type, size and position of the prosthetic valve) were analysed.

Preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postinfarction ventricular septal defect: Case series of three patients with a literature review.

The mortality rate after the development of postinfarction ventricular septal defect (VSD) remains high, despite progress in pharmacologic therapy, invasive cardiology, and surgical techniques. We present three cases of preoperative venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to reparative surgical repair in patients with cardiogenic shock who would otherwise require emergent cardiac surgery with an associated risk. Two patients were discharged, whereas the third patient died due to pulmonary artery rupture after a right ventricular assist device implantation, despite the fact that he had a successful bridge to reparative surgery and VSD repair.

Primary and secondary aortopathy associated with adult congenital heart disease - retrospective study.

Background: Primary and secondary aortopathy are frequently encountered in patients with congenital heart disease. The aim of this study is to present our experience and the incidence of primary and secondary adult CHD-associated aortopathy.

Methods: The cohort is comprised of adult patients with congenital heart disease from the registry of the Eastern Slovakia Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases.